Saints trade up for potential Pro Bowl level wide receiver to help Tyler Shough in latest 7-round mock draft for New Orleans

The Saints got aggressive in this scenario.

Adam Holt, Rob Gregson
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Dec 21, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough (6) throws against the New York Jets during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images

The New Orleans Saints have never been shy about being aggressive during the NFL Draft. That being said, they could choose to be a bit more passive with a lot of draft capital in the tank for this year.

Only time will tell, but what if Mickey Loomis sees a prospect early in the second round he just can’t pass up trading for? Let’s take a look at that potential scenario. In the process, New Orleans would be helping quarterback Tyler Shough.

New Orleans Saints 7-round mock draft with trade up scenario

8. New Orleans Saints: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

A popular pick. Downs would be a smart, safe addition for the Saints defense under Brandon Staley. He coached Derwin James for some time on the Los Angeles Chargers, so he has experience coaching up a versatile defensive back with star potential and traits.

34. New Orleans Saints: Chris Bell, WR, Louisville

This is where the trade comes into play. The Saints send picks no. 40 and 132, along with a 2027 6th-round pick to move up to pick no. 34.

With the move, the Saints add a potential WR2 option alongside Chris Olave. Bell is coming off a season-ending injury, so his draft stock has seen a bit of a decline. Although, his speed/size blend is elite, and he’s even drawn some comparisons to Pro Bowl talent.

We’ll get into that in more detail later in this piece. New Orleans must value adding talent around Shough, and Bell can be the first rookie piece of that after they acquired RB Travis Etienne and OL David Edwards in free agency.

73. New Orleans Saints: Darrell Jackson Jr., NT, Florida State

136. New Orleans Saints (compensatory): Nadame Tucker, EDGE, Western Michigan

150. New Orleans Saints: Aiden Fisher, LB, Indiana

172. New Orleans Saints: Armaj Reed-Adams, IOL, Texas A&M

190. New Orleans Saints: Ephesians Prysock, CB, Washington

NFL Draft expert breaks down mock draft

“From pick 8 to pick 190, I love this draft for the Saints. You select a potential franchise cornerstone and arguably the best player in the draft, regardless of positional value, with Downs. There seems to be a lot of overthinking when it comes to his projection right now, when, if you watch his tape and listen to those close to him, it’s obvious he’s a special player. 

Chris Bell would be one of the top WRs in this class if not for the knee injury that ended his season early. To be that big and move that well after the catch, he could be the next A.J. Brown. You’re looking at three developmental defenders after that, but I could see all of them carving out niche roles in the NFL. Especially Fisher. He’s not the prospect that Jackson and Tucker are, but I wouldn’t be shocked to see him stick in the league as a special teamer at the very least. 

Even down to the last pick with Prysock, I see a traits-dominant player with amazing length at 6-3 and over 33-inch arms. It’s a homerun class for New Orleans and one they would feel good about in April.”
— Rob Gregson, A to Z Sports

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